Help With Special Needs

We are happy to help all visitors with special needs enjoy Amma’s programs. We can easily accommodate people either in wheelchairs or who are physically challenged, as well as the elderly and pregnant women.

At every program, there’s a team of volunteers wearing blue scarves to help you. When you arrive, please join the token line and let a volunteer know a bit about your concerns. They will bring someone wearing a blue scarf who will be able to quickly assess your needs and provide a comfortable solution.

It’s important to join the token line if you are able, as it’s the best way to get a token to receive Amma’s embrace. If you arrive after the token line has dispersed, please ask a volunteer how to get one. You will then be directed to a member of the blue scarf team who will assist you after you receive your token.

Volunteers are happy to assist you and make sure you are properly taken care of in a way that is both comfortable and efficient.

IF YOU BRING A SERVICE ANIMAL

• When you arrive at the program, please ask to be put in touch with someone from the Assisted Darshan Team, or look for someone wearing a blue scarf. These volunteers will guide you through the process of how to receive a token.
• When it’s time for you to receive Amma’s embrace, a member of the Assisted Darshan team will remain with your Service Animal. After your embrace, you will be offered the opportunity to sit near Amma for a period of time, or be brought directly back to your service animal

Meeting Amma

It’s not uncommon for people to wonder what it’s like to be hugged by Amma, or what the process is like. Volunteers are available in the hall to assist you throughout this process.

• When your token number is displayed, find a place to store your shoes and head to one of the darshan lines towards the back of the hall. If you are unable to remove your shoes, let a volunteer with a green scarf assist you.
• If you wish to take an offering for Amma, the Flower Table located close to the darshan line has many options to choose from.
• If you brought an item to be blessed, such as a photograph, document or a small object, bring that with you as well.
• Families or couples can be embraced together, or you may wish to be embraced separately. It’s entirely up to you.
• After you receive your embrace, you will have an opportunity to sit near Amma for a short time.

Devi Bhava

Devi Bhava is a special program that begins with the Atma Puja ceremony for world peace. Afterwards, Amma will receive guests who have tokens for an embrace. She will continue doing this all night into the next morning. Many stay the entire time to be in the uplifting atmosphere and to enjoy the devotional singing.

If you have time constraints, you should arrive early as programs can be large. You may find your token number is late into the next morning.

Please note that large bags are not allowed inside the hall during the puja. Bring only personal items like small bag, if any, into the hall. If you come with a group and would like to sit together, everyone in your group must enter the hall together. As with other programs, everyone in your party should be present to receive a token.

Devi Bhava is also the time when Amma gives mantras. A mantra is a group of Sanskrit words used for prayer and meditation. If you are interested in receiving a mantra, information will be given for you to read while you are sitting in line waiting to receive your darshan.

Devi Bhava Evening Schedule

4:30pm – Volunteers begin welcoming guests who have come to the program
5:00pm – The token line opens for retreat registrants
5:30pm – Tokens are handed out and the seating begins
7:00pm – Amma arrives and Atma Puja ceremony begins
9:30pm – Approximate time Amma receives guests for her embrace

Dinner is served until midnight. Snacks and the Amma Shop are open all night.

We Use a Token System

Tokens are free and the system is designed so that the first people to join the line are the first to meet Amma. Here’s how it works:

• Tokens are small cards, imprinted with a letter and a number, like A1, or C3, or Q7.
• Groups meet Amma in sequence: the A1 group goes before the A2 group.
• Everyone wishing to meet Amma must get a token, including infants and babies.
• A line forms two hours before each program. Everyone in your party must be present.
• 90 minutes before Amma arrives, tokens are handed out.
• If you arrive after the program begins, you may still be able to get one.
• We may be unable to replace tokens that get lost.

Please plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the program to receive a free token if you would like to have Amma’s embrace. Tokens may be limited by time constraints.

If you plan to come more than once

• If you received an embrace on a prior day, you may be asked to wait to receive a token.
• If you received an embrace during a morning program, you will not be able to get a token for that evening’s program, although you are welcome to attend.

Getting a Seat Before Amma’s Arrival

• After you have gotten your token, volunteers will seat you.
• If you leave your seat, please be sure to return 15 minutes before Amma arrives. We will fill in all unoccupied seats at that time.
• Please do not take any photographs, audio or video recordings. Many pictures are available at the Amma Shop. Proceeds from sales in the Amma Shop benefit Amma’s charities.